떨어지는
***
I don't remember falling asleep in one of Caitlyn's sister's beds, but here I am. My eyes open slowly and blink to adjust to the harsh light. I don't know what time it is, I should probably check, but I'm too tired to do anything. So I roll over and wrap my arm around the pillow next to me. Wait...
Blonde hair. Skin. A face...
The first two things that run through my mind are Shit, this isn't a pillow and Shit, Caitlyn is going to skin me. In a panic, I try to slowly inch away from her, but her small, little hands grab onto my T-shirt and force me to stay here. I feel myself blush. Her breath is warm on my chest and her toes brush against my mid-calf. God, she's short. I smirk.
I bring my hand up to her shoulder, careful to not touch anything else, and start drawing little circles on her shoulder blade. With my right hand I brush away the strands of hair in her face and explore her delicate features. Her cheeks, pink and apple-shaped. Her dainty snub nose and the little freckle on the tip of it. Her closed eyes, which I know now are actually hazel and not brown. There's a cluster of two or three freckles, all different in size, right underneath her jawline, below her left ear.
Her mouth is what tempts me the most. Her lips are full and pink, slightly chapped at the corners. I try not to imagine the feeling of them against mine, because I know that I might not be able to control myself now if I think about it. My fingertips brush against her mouth, tracing the outline of her lips softly and longingly. I think about Thursday night when we danced. How unrealistic it seemed that I was holding her this close. And I think about how scared I was that she would pull away once I finally got the courage to kiss her. And I think about the relief I felt when she didn't. When she stayed where she was, even pulling me down closer. As if she wanted this just as much as I did. I remember how these lips tasted, like the hot chocolate she drank with no whipped cream. And I remember how they felt, which was perfect in everything they did.
I want to go back to that night, before all of this happened. Just so I could feel okay about kissing her and be on cloud nine when she kissed me back.
Colby stirs and I move my hand up from her mouth, beginning to run my fingers through her hair. Her little fists tighten on my shirt, but not uncomfortably. Her eyes blink open slowly and look up at me in a sleepy state. When I expect her to let go in embarrassment, she instead smiles up at me and unhooks her hand from my shirt, then wraps it around my shoulders. I know I'm blushing again, but this time I'm smiling as well. Three months ago I would have killed to have this opportunity, but it seems that all it took was three long months, two kisses, and one awful, horrible night. I've certainly paid the price. And even though I feel guilty about not saving her in time, I know she's going to be okay.
"Good morning, Little Miss," I softly whisper. Cole gives me a sleepy smile.
"Good morning, Wonder Boy."
"Did you sleep okay?" I ask her, sliding my arm down to wrap around her back, effectively bringing her a little closer. She doesn't protest against this, even though I'm overly scared of her feeling uncomfortable.
"Yeah," Cole says. "But my stomach hurts."
I look at her sadly. She's less pale than earlier this morning and Caitlyn took it upon herself to make sure that her cuts had completely stopped bleeding.
